About Izatha mesoschista Meyrick, 1931
The larva of Izatha mesoschista has not yet been described. For adult moths of this species, the male wingspan ranges from 15.5 to 21 mm, while the female wingspan ranges from 17 to 25 mm. Adults are active on the wing between October and February. Adult I. mesoschista have variable appearance, which originally led to this species being confused with Izatha balanophora. This species can be distinguished from I. balanophora by the bold black line running through the middle of the forewing disk. This black line also helps separate I. mesoschista from Izatha epiphanes. Except for using collection location as a guide, it is difficult to tell I. mesoschista apart from Izatha haumu. I. haumu occurs in the northernmost part of New Zealand’s North Island, while I. mesoschista is found south of this range, across the remainder of the North Island. Male I. mesoschista can be distinguished from both I. haumu and I. epiphanes by the species’ characteristic three-pronged genitalia tip. I. mesoschista is endemic to New Zealand. It has been recorded across most of the North Island, but not on the Aupouri Peninsula, in Hawkes Bay, or in the Wairarapa. It is considered one of the most common and widespread species within the genus Izatha that occurs in the North Island.
